Volunteers aid pets during Operation Pacific Passage

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joshua Crane
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. --  For nearly a week, a small portion of the Travis Air Force Base passenger terminal was filled with barking, growling, and even a few "oohs" and "ahhs." Men and women returning to the U.S. from Japan as part of Operation Pacific Passage were accompanied by not only their spouses and children, but their pets and Team Travis ensured they were treated as part of the family.

Of the flights that landed over the course of the week, more than 150 pets found a welcoming volunteer who walked, fed and generally spoiled them during their short stay at Travis.

Army Capt. Matthew Reed, a veterinarian attached to the Northern California District Veterinary Command, Travis AFB, was one of many personnel who volunteered to aid the traveling animals. Twenty volunteers came out to help with pets, Captain Reed said.

"We worked up a schedule so that we had at least two to three people working as each flight came in," he said.

"It's a long flight, but the animals were provided with water bottles attached to their kennels and food as needed," Captain Reed said.

After landing, the animals were provided more food, water, and a chance to run around on a grassy area, he said.

"I was worried I wouldn't be able to bring Zeus," a 9-month-old chihuahua belonging to Mrs. Keeley Carpenter, New Mexico native and wife of Staff Sgt. Justin Carpenter attached to Yokota Air Base, Japan, "My husband is very busy in Japan right now, and I'm very happy that I was allowed to bring Zeus home to make sure he's taken care of," said Mrs. Carpenter.

I am excited to be able to bring him home to meet my family in New Mexico, she continued.

When she entered the pet holding area of the Joint Reception Coordination Center (JRCC) she wasn't even sure if her dog had arrived, she explained.

"I couldn't find Zeus at first," said Mrs. Carpenter. "but after scanning the area I saw a volunteer holding him because he was scared."

"I'm more than grateful for what they're doing," she said.

The pet care facet of the JRCC provides owners with peace of mind so they can take care of pressing issues like handling plane tickets, securing lodging, reserving rental vehicles or tending to financial matters, said Captain Reed.

Captain Reed said that some owners may be distraught when they arrive and kids might be upset, but that changes when they see their pets, and being able to provide peace of mind to families by taking care of their pets is a worthy mission.

Tom Saunders, Air Forces Northern Public Affairs contributed to this article.